Austin Honors Daniel Johnston With “Hi, How Are You?” Day

January 22, named for Johnston’s album, is a day to support those struggling with mental health issues

Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

Daniel Johnston, the legendary lo-fi folk artist, began his prolific career as a staple of Austin’s music scene. Today, the same city honored Johnston by making January 22 “Hi, How Are You?” Day—a day to support those struggling with mental health issues. Named after Johnston’s iconic album and mural in the city, the celebration was launched by the Hi, How Are You? Foundation in partnership with the SIMS Foundation—a non-profit providing mental health support to artists in Austin. Johnston has battled schizophrenia and manic depression for years and has spent significant portions of his life in psychiatric institutions. “Hi, How Are You?” Day also falls on his birthday.

“‘Hi, How Are You?’ is more than one of Austin's most iconic murals,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler in a statement to NPR Music. “It’s a reminder to reach out to our friends and neighbors to see if they’re OK, and for those experiencing mental health issues it’s a reminder that you’ve got a whole community that can handle an honest answer because we want to help you get the help you need.”

Last year, Johnston embarked on what was initially billed as his final tour (though Johnston himself argued that it wouldn’t be). In Chicago, he and Jeff Tweedy covered the Beatles’ “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away.”